Vitamins for MS: Do supplements make a difference?

Question

I've read that vitamin supplements could help my MS symptoms. Is that true?

Answer

Many people look to complementary and alternative therapies to treat symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Among them, dietary supplements, including high-dose vitamins, are used most frequently. But will taking more than the recommended daily allowance of certain vitamins help your MS?

The question of whether larger doses of vitamins are beneficial is controversial. To be most effective, vitamins need to work in careful balance. A high concentration of one vitamin might cause a relative deficiency of another.

Vitamin D may be an exception. So far, vitamin D is one of the most intensely studied supplements for MS. For several years, there has been a growing interest in the role of low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of MS attacks or exacerbations.

Current research suggests a possible relationship between the two, although more-thorough studies are needed to establish a definite link. For now, daily supplementation with up to 4,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D-3 is generally considered to be safe. Doses greater than 4,000 IU a day may sometimes be necessary in people who are vitamin D deficient, but large doses may also carry increased risks. Because people absorb vitamin D differently, talk to your doctor to determine if checking your blood levels could help identify the right dose for you.

Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and other nutrients in useful proportions, working together to play their roles in good nutrition and disease prevention. For most people, even those with MS, the most reasonable course of action is receiving the recommended amount of vitamins from dietary sources, such as fruits and vegetables, rather than vitamin supplements.

If you have MS and are considering vitamin supplements, talk with your doctor first to determine what vitamins and doses he or she recommends.